Jointer planer combo

[them700project]

I have a dewalt 735 bench planer. I am looking at picking up a jointer I have 2 options in mind

1)Sell the dewalt and buy Hammer a3-31 with silent head  $4000- whatever I can get for my planer(300)

2)Buy powermatic 882hh and a byrd shelix for dewalt planer. $3100+500

They about equal out in price the advantages to the Hammer are the smaller footprint, one less machine and 4 more inches of jointing capability.

The advantage of going the other way are a longer bed and I can wait on that shelix head.

A third option would be to get the Hammer with knives instead of silent power for $3100 and then I can still sell off the Dewalt

 

[RussellS]

An opinion, no experience.  I'd advise the Hammer combo.  With the spiral cutters.  I have heard people rave and love the spiral cutters.  Worth the cost.  And I think they are self aligning.  Unlike the straight blades.  That would make it worth it too.  You can overcome the table length of the jointer with add on extensions.  More dollars but probably worth it.  I don't think you will end up with the same quality equipment if you go the Powermatic jointer and upgrade the cutter head in the DeWalt.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I am a straight knife guy, unless it's the first bottom and first inside on my moulder.

I don't see the point of an insert head in a jointer. It's not a finish pass machine.

I would be fine with an itch head, or a Newman Whitney head, or hermance.

I am not a fan of the bryd heads (the way they are perched and the scews).

I like separate machines, I have run a wadkin fm over/under machine, it's nice, but nothing I would want to use all the time for jointing and planing.

 

[Max Fracas]

I sold a DeWalt planer and Powermatic 54HH jointer and bought a Hammer A3/41 with the spiral head.  On the positive side, the Hammer is MUCH quieter than the DeWalt, and the the wider jointing capacity means I don't have to cut stock down to fit the jointer.  Plus, in my small (400SF) workshop, combining the two machines did save on space.  On the negative side, when I mess something up it seems I always need the machine in the other configuration.  Nice being able to walk over to separate machines.  Maybe over time the Hammer will reduce my mistakes, LOL.  It isn't that difficult to switch the machine over, but I do find that I plan my work more carefully now.

 

[Getmaverick]

I'm not a fan of multi tools. If it goes down, you are now out of both a jointer and planer. I have an 8" jointer with Shelix head and love it. Cuts through hard maple like butter. I also have the 735, it don't like maple too much. I'm in the same dilemma, do I install a Byrd head or just invest in a real production planer.

 

[thudchkr]

I had the Dewalt and put a Shelix head in it. When I tried to run wider hard maple through it, I was very disappointed with the performance. Had to take extremely light cuts or else the motor overload would trip.

Upgraded to the A3-31 with the silent power head and have had no issues with power.  Even running jatoba at near max width, does a great job.

My vote is for the Hammer.

Clint

 

[southrider]

Absolutely love my a3-31 Hammer. It takes less than a minute to convert from one to the other. Get the digital wheel, and a write on/wipe off board (or an inexpensive set of digital calipers) for the occasion when you need another part the same thickness and have changed the machine.

Do NOT hesitate on the silent power head. It is light years ahead of knives, and worlds better than a Byrd (google the tests), and yes it really IS that quiet. You can speak with the machine running. The large gullets on the silent power head enable better dust collection and prevent the chips from being pounded into the wood like some other spiral heads.

Go for true industrial separates if you have a large budget and a lot of space, otherwise none of the other alternatives you mention are in the same ballpark.

Hammer has aluminum extension tables that you can usually pick up at a discount during their winter sale (sometimes they will give you the sale price with a machine purchase - other times not). I honestly haven't found myself jointing extra long boards that often, but you may.

Good luck!

 

[them700project]

So it seams like 4-2 for the hammer. I do like the idea of a combo machine as space is at a premium

 

[Max Fracas]

If I had the money and space for separates with spiral heads and at least 16" of width, that's for sure what I'd do.  But my Hammer combo J/P gives me good quality at a lower price point than separates, and does it with a footprint that works in my small workshop.  Not perfect, but a compromise that works really well for me. 

 

[Poindexter]

I sold a DeWalt planer and Powermatic 54HH jointer and bought a Hammer A3/41 with the spiral head.

I'm running that combo now and thinking the Hammer combo will be the future replacement.  I will absolutely be going with the silent head to cut down on the noise.  Running boards through the helical-headed Powermatic is a joy.  Buttery smooth and nearly silent.  Planing in the Dewalt is like babies screaming and teachers scratching chalk boards to the rest of my family.... my shop is in our attached garage.

But, when getting the combo I'll probably hold onto the Dewalt because it's footprint is tiny and to [member=60285]Getmaverick[/member]'s point it is good to have a backup.

 

[kevinculle]

Separate machines are a significant advantage unless you just don't have the space.  I installed a Byrd head in my DW735 and I could not be happier with it!  Surface finish is much improved, noise level from the planer dropped by 14dBA (huge change), it has been about two years and I haven't even rotated an insert yet and no decrease in surface quality.  As to the earlier comment on bogging down in heavy cuts I haven't seen that but I generally take a max of one turn on the wheel (probably about 1/16") at a time...a lunchbox planer is not in the same league as the big iron!

 

[deepcreek]

Building furniture in a relatively small shop, I'm seriously looking at replacing my Powermatic 54HH and Dewalt planer with a Minimax FS30 or FS41.  By all accounts, the Tersa cutterhead system is awesome.

 

[bertv]

I ordered a Hammer A3 31 nine days ago after a lot of deliberation and a hands on demo at Felder's in Barneveld (Netherlands).

Decided upon the spiral cutter in consideration of my neighbours (and my own hearing, of course). Planing hardwoods gave excellent results. The common view is that spiral cutters are very cost effective in the long run. With the kind if use I envision it will take me ten years before having to buy new cutters.

The build quality is excellent. Everything feels solid. All parts are made or finished in the Felder factory, on the same 'train' as the Felder and Format machines. (Felder quit casting steel a while ago, but all machining etc. is done in house.)

I also like the look of the machine. Neutral grey colour, the red accents are nice — having something mauve or olive green or yellow in my shop would make me very unhappy.

I have considered getting two machines, but apart from the higher cost, I think using a combo forces me to be more organized and that is a good thing, I guess.

(BTW  'My' machine will leave the factory on April 21.)

 

[Amalix]

Get the hammer with the silent power head. The cut quality is great, dust extraction is relatively easy (I use a cheap 1hp collector, €150..., collects most of the chips just fine.) and the sound levels are a huge difference. Yeah you use hearing protection anyway but its so much nicer. I usually have the radio on normal volume for background music and can hear the music over the machine no problem. Even while surfacing 10" hardwood. (I have the A3-26)

PS: I dont advise using cheap dust collection but its all my budget afforded at the moment, I will upgrade to proper filtration soon.

 

[them700project]

Hammer It will be. I will be placing my order shortly

 

[sac3848]

I have a small shop Ordered a Hammer A3 41 and love it,quiet bed extensions,digital handwheel,no snipe It's great Changeover ,minor inconvenience Go for it

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I don't get the aversion to setting knives.  I can swap my 30" jointer knives in 20 minutes with nothing more than a stick of wood to set them.  30" planer takes about 40 minutes, but i can grind a few times in the head before resetting them.

I will never be a fan of the way the Byrd heads are made and those little screws.

Tersa knives are ok, but you have to be able to slide them out. 

 

[rljatl]

Just another opinion to consider....

WATCH THIS before buying a carbide helical (spiral/segmented) jointer/planer cutter head

 

[antss]

Did I read that right - 30 inch jointer knives ? [eek] [eek] [eek] [eek] [eek] [eek].

Holy smokes, I didn't even know such a beast existed.  18" is the largest I've ever seen.

 

[Poindexter]

I don't get the aversion to setting knives.

Speaking solely for myself...

It isn't anything against knives.  I personally love the ability to resharpen (not the case with all of them though) planer knives.  My main issue is noise.  The planer is BY FAR the noisiest tool in my shop.  I'm willing to spend extra and spend extra again to have tools that don't require ear protection when indoors.  For me the shop is a refreshing place where I can "zen out" with some tunes and enjoy making wood into cool forms.  Outside, I welcome the ear protection and all other safety gear that I incorporate to cut down trees, chip the branches, mill the straight, and split the crooked.  That's a totally different vibe.

The kids and wife aren't into the heavy-duty outdoor work.  But they like to participate in the shop stuff.  They run when I use the planer.